South Korea Manufacturing Sentiment Weakens

South Korea’s manufacturing Business Survey Index fell to 79 points in September 2026 from 81 in July, indicating a continued deterioration in business conditions. The production index edged down to 89 from 92, while the new orders index fell to 87 from 92. Meanwhile, the inventories index rose to 103 from 100, while the financial situation index deteriorated slightly to 81 from 82. The manufacturing Composite Business Sentiment Index fell 4.3 points to 99.5 in September, while the index for the following month’s outlook also declined 1.4 points to 101.1, pointing to a deterioration in business sentiment.

South Korea’s manufacturing Business Survey Index fell to 81 points in August 2026 from 82 in July, indicating a continued deterioration in business conditions. The production index edged down to 92 from 93, while the new orders index remained unchanged at 92. Meanwhile, the inventories index declined to 100 from 101, while the financial situation index improved to 82 from 81. In contrast, the manufacturing Composite Business Sentiment Index rose 0.6 points to 103.8 in August, while the index for the following month increased 2.0 points to 102.5, pointing to a modest improvement in business sentiment despite weaker current conditions.

South Korea’s manufacturing Business Survey Index rose to 82 in July 2026 from 78 in June, signaling improved business sentiment. The production index increased to 93 from 90, while the new orders index rose to 91 from 88. Meanwhile, the inventories index edged up to 100 from 99, and the financial situation index improved to 81 from 79. The Composite Business Sentiment Index for manufacturing increased 2.0 points from the previous month to 103.2, while the outlook for the following month rose 2.3 points to 100.5.